Warriors

Ten~ Time Runs Out

''You're saying this is all because of me?'' Pax was starting to feel incredibly guilty, he hadn't done anything and he apparently never would if the Solar's had their way, but it was hurting Kyler.

''And me. If I wasn't friends with Kyler they couldn't use him to torture me to get to you.'' Tristan couldn't help knowing this was because of his feelings for Kyler, even the simple existence of Kyler in Tristan's thoughts was invitation to any nearby Vamps. Sometimes Tristan hated telepathy, wished he could have a padlock for his mind, like a child's diary.

Pax was suddenly curiously agitated. ''Using Ky to torture you? Bit rich given he's the one in pain right now. Why would they hurt him to get to you anyways unless...'' Pieces were starting to puzzle themselves together for Pax when he realized Tristan's affliction.

''He's been my best and only friend for nearly 10 years, yeah I love him, okay? I'm not gonna apologise for it.'' Tristan snapped, walking toward the kitchen, if only, to put a few more steps between him and the Wolf.

Pax stepped forward, not sure what to say, but wanting to say something. He'd only known Kyler for a couple years, did he get in the way of something happening with Tristan and Kyler? Did Kyler have similar feelings for Tristan?

They weren't left to their thoughts for long, their discussion of the Solar's plan had lasted so long the sun had set. There was a knock at the door.

Pax put his finger to his lips, Tristan rolled his eyes, ''It's moonlight, it can't be the Solar's, Idiot.'' Shaking his head, Tristan headed for the door. Opening it slowly revealed a girl with dark hair that Tristan knew he recognised but couldn't immediately place.

''Lilith?'' It came out as a question even though it wasn't much of one that needed answered.

''Can I come in? I can help Kyler.'' Lilith knew there was no time for pleasantries or catching up, Tristan could see the truth in her eyes; he could never turn away his baby sister.

''Come in.'' He stood back, opening the door, with defiance from Pax, who was completely unaware what was going on. Lilith was already half way up the stairs before Tristan closed the door and followed behind her.

''Who the hell is Lilith and how is she supposed to help?'' Pax was furious at not knowing, he followed behind, standing in his bedroom doorway as Tristan stood at the foot of the bed where this Lilith had sat next to Kyler, whose burn had spread down his leg and up his cheek.

Lilith could feel the pain coursing through Kyler's veins not just the heat on the surface of his skin. A small pouch hung from her belt, she opened it revealing a golden powder which she sprinkled on the burned areas.

Kyler flinched with a gasp as the powder reacted with his skin, ''A little gift from Lenora, it can treat Vampire burn so it won't hurt for a while, but I'm afraid it only slows the effect of the burn, I can't say for how long. You need to sleep now, this is powerful stuff for a human to be exposed too.''

Without another word Lilith stood and went downstairs, Tristan and Pax both quick to follow.

''Where have you been? I thought you were dead. And what's with Lenora joining the dark side?''

''You mean the light side?'' Lilith replied sarcastically, Tristan rolled his eyes in response, remembering his sisters humour and realising how much he missed it.

A sigh escaped as Tristan forgot about everything for a minute and focused on just his sister, stepping forward and hugging her.

''Sorry to break up, whatever this is, who are you and what's going on?'' Pax felt like an intruder in his own home, there were two too many Vampires in his house for him to handle.

''Pax, this is my sister Lilith.'' Pax's jaw dropped, it hadn't even occurred to him that Tristan could have siblings, especially given his response to the parents question earlier.

Pax was thinking now, what happened to his parents that made him think his sister was dead? Is she supposed to be dead? Or would that be undead? Re dead? He shook the thoughts away as the confusion overcame him, he was thankful in that moment to not be a Vampire with confusion of being dead or alive.

Finally snapped out of it, he realised he'd missed half the conversation. He strolled over and sat on the kitchen island, listening to Lilith explain the Solar situation.

''After the attack, Lenora and I hid in a tree, we went back to see mom and dad were, well... Lenora took my hand and we ran, we found a Vampire camp, it was the Solar's, Lenora being Lenora they took her in as their own. They knew I was a Lunar, they locked me up, it wasn't until they found out I was a truth seer that they found use in me.''

Tristan could see that this was difficult, couldn't think what Lilith and Lenora had been through, he didn't understand the different ways they were treated. But that was Vampirism at it's finest, the sun meant you were 'pure', the moon was left for the dirt according to them.

''Why did Lenora give you that powder? It wasn't for Kyler.'' That was a statement, if the Solar plan was as she said then this would be counter productive and Vampires were nothing if not well planned.

Lilith looked down, she was fiddling with her hands, even Pax could see the nerves flowing through her.

''The powder was for me, for my burns.'' Lilith pushed up her sleeves, revealing burns that were scarred into her skin, they weren't glowing which meant they were old. The scars were so deep, you could tell they had been burned multiple times, countless times.

After a minute, Lilith pushed her hair to one side and pulled her shirt over her shoulder, showing a newer burn that still had a dim glow. This burn had been removed mere days ago.

A fire was burning in Tristan, he had never been more ashamed of his species before, but he'd never heard of using Vampire burn on Vampires this way before, it was usually used as a last resort, that's how powerful it was.

''I'm sorry, I couldn't take it anymore, I didn't tell them everything but it's my fault they're after the Blue Wolf.'' Her voice coated in shame, leaving behind a drop in conversation. No one wanted to blame her, given the circumstances.

''I'm sorry Lil, don't blame yourself. Lenora said they would be back at midday, all we can do now is wait.'' Tristan didn't like it, none of them did, but they knew he was right. Pax paced the kitchen, needing something to do while time passed.